In bars around the country, men re-enact scenes from the BBC's Grumpy Old Men series.

Apparently the Minister of State for Transport, Dr Stephen Ladyman, is a fan.

In fact, when addressing the ABI motor conference this week, Ladyman thought he was watching the series live.

Explaining his refusal to force young drivers to take up longer learning periods, the minister asked for "facts and figures" to back calls for any proposed new laws.

Because, said the minister (born 1952) the grumbles about teens driving passenger-filled cars sounded very much like insurers doing their Grumpy Old Men impersonations.

Topics